SEPTICEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT AIDS AT WESTMINSTER-HOSPITAL, LONDON

The types of organism causing septicaemia in patients with AIDS and without AIDS at Westminster Hospital were examined prospectively over a period of 2 years (1990-1991). Altogether 417 episodes of septicaemia were diagnosed, 148 (35 %) of which were in patients with AIDS. Of septicaemias in patients with AIDS, 53 (36 %) were caused by mycobacteria. Non-mycobacterial septicaemias were associated with iv access devices in 58 (61 %) of patients with AIDS and in 50 (19 %) of those without AIDS. Gram-negative organisms were responsible for septicaemia associated with iv access devices in 16 (28 %) of 58 patients with AIDS and in 8 (16 %) of 50 patients without AIDS. Non-typhoidal Salmonella species or Shigella species caused 13 (31 %) of 42 episodes of septicaemia caused by Gram-negative organisms in patients with AIDS. These findings have influenced the strategy for empirical therapy of septicaemia in patients with AIDS at Westminster Hospital. © 1993 The British Society for the Study of Infection.